The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Notorious murderer died of heart attack
Inquiry: Killer took ill close to release date after 35 years in jail
One of Scotland’s most notorious murderers died of a heart attack as he was being prepared for release, a court has heard.
Frank Greig, 55, took ill as guards transferred him between Scotland’s two open prisons, Noranside in Angus and Castle Huntly, near Dundee in October last year.
He was in the 35th year of a life sentence imposed for the brutal slaying in Aberdeen of 26-year-old Virginia Capper in 1977.
Greig struck Ms Capper with a concrete slab during a horrific attack at Bieldside before raping her as she lay dying.
During a brief fatal accident inquiry at Perth Sheriff Court yesterday fiscal depute Nicola Ross asked Sheriff Fiona Fait to make formal findings of the place, time and cause of his death.
Greig had been serving a sentence of imprisonment – his place of incarceration latterly given as Hmprison Castle Huntly, Longforgan – only to die in Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, on October 7 last year at about 1pm. A post-mortem examination by Dr David Sadler of Dundee University established the cause of death as atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.
Greig’s murder of Virginia Capper on May 18, 1977, stunned the Aberdeen community of Newton Dee, anindependentcommunity for handicapped adults and left her parents, the Very Rev James Capper and mother Nancy, devastated.
Ms Capper had been enjoying a walk with other members of the community when she became separated. As she took a shortcut along the disused Deeside railway line her killer, who was 21 at the time, struck.
Greig – then of Aberdeen – had been released on bail
“Cruel and callous rape and murder”
in connection with charges of indecent exposure that very day and had already amassed a criminal record containing 23 previous convictions, including some for sexual offences.
During his High Court trial – cut short after he changed his plea to guilty – the court heard that Ms Capper had sustained severe head injuries, including a fractured skull.
In a confession given to police officers, the court heard he had admitted to her brutal slaying. Sentenced to life in prison, he was told he was guilty of the “cruel and callous rape and murder of an innocent and handicapped woman”.